Parts for your 2008 Honda Elysion-Brake shoes

2008 Honda Elysion brake-shoes: what they do and when to replace them

Based on Honda’s technical literature for the Elysion (RR1–RR5) and Honda’s electronic parts catalogue diagrams for 2004–2012 models, the 2008 Honda Elysion runs rear disc brakes for normal stopping, but also has a “drum-in-hat” parking brake inside each rear disc. That inner drum uses brake-shoes. So yes—brake-shoes are relevant on this model, specifically for the handbrake/parking brake system.

Those parking brake-shoes are there to hold the van steady when parked, on the flat or on a hill. They aren’t meant for high-speed stopping like the pads and discs, instead, they clamp inside the small drum section of the rear rotors when the handbrake lever is pulled. Because they’re mostly used when stationary, they tend to wear slowly—but they still need periodic checks and adjustment to work properly and pass a WOF or roadworthy.

For routine servicing of a 2008 Elysion’s brake-shoes, a mechanic should inspect lining thickness, the condition of the drum surface inside the rear rotors, and the handbrake cable/free play. Honda’s service guidance for similar systems calls for replacement when the shoe lining is near the service limit (around 1.0 mm), if the surface is oil-contaminated or glazed, or if there’s cracking or de-bonding of the lining.

Good practice when replacing brake-shoes includes:

• Clean the drum-in-hat surface and deglaze lightly, replace rotors if they’re out of spec.
• Fit new springs/clips (hardware kit) with the new shoes—old springs lose tension.
• Adjust the star wheel so there’s a light, even drag, then fine-tune at the lever/cables.
• Bed-in the shoes with a few low-speed applications of the handbrake on a safe, flat surface.

Tell-tale signs the Elysion’s brake-shoes need attention include a weak handbrake that won’t hold on an incline, excessive lever travel, scraping noises from the rear at very low speed, or a WOF/roadworthy imbalance. In Aussie and Kiwi conditions, a quick check every 20,000–30,000 km or annually is a smart move, especially if the vehicle tows, is parked on steep streets, or has seen off-seal use.

During any service, keep grease away from the linings, use proper brake cleaner, and don’t over-tighten the adjuster. If the parking brake performance drops after pad/rotor work, it’s often just an adjustment—sort that early to keep the van safe and easy to live with.

Popular questions

Does the 2008 Honda Elysion use brake-shoes or pads at the rear?
It uses both. The rear service brakes are discs with pads for normal braking, and there’s a small internal drum that uses brake-shoes for the parking brake. The shoes don’t handle high-speed stops, they’re just for holding the vehicle when parked.

How often should the Elysion’s parking brake-shoes be replaced?
They usually last a long time because they’re not used like the pads. Plan to inspect them yearly or every 20,000–30,000 km. Replace if the lining is near the service limit (around 1.0 mm), contaminated, cracked, or if handbrake performance is poor even after adjustment.

What are the signs the handbrake shoes need adjustment or replacement?
Common clues are a handbrake lever that pulls up too high, the car rolling on a hill with the brake on, or scraping/grabbing noises at very low speed. After rear pad/rotor changes, a quick shoe adjustment often restores proper feel and holding power.